This article discusses ideal roles for both parents and teachers in parent-teacher conferences. Parents should use a team approach, prepare questions for the teacher, and listen to what the teacher has to say. Teachers should prepare students for the conference, create a welcoming environment for parents, and plan a general outline for the…

As parents adapt to meet today's changing definition of literacy, they are often left with many questions about what is happening in their child's classroom. To help address parents' concerns, this guide uses clear, everyday language and classroom examples to explain and illustrate some of the key concepts and terms in literacy acquisition and…

Offers guidance for parents, teachers, and other advocates for gifted education on the use of public relations to increase local, state, and national support. Topics covered include the importance of using the media, state-level strategies, targeting the audience, planning a public-relations campaign, and some possible print and non-print media…

Both teachers and parents have similar agendas when it comes to children: the fulfillment of academic potential and the creation of lifelong learners who are well-adjusted, productive members of society. However, basic communication between parents and teachers is often difficult. When children are exceptional, problems with communication are only…

This exploratory study employed qualitative methodology to analyze interview data that emerged from face-to-face interviews with eight parents of four children with autism spectrum disorder. The study focused on the roles these parents played as they monitored their children's educational programs and interacted with school professionals. The…

This guide informs parents about some instructional practices that work well for all elementary school students, in particular English learners. It includes questions parents can ask teachers and principals to help them understand how their children's school approaches teaching and learning. Both English and Spanish versions of the document are…

The paper describes ways in which parents can help their learning disabled children at home. Suggestions touch upon establishing a set time for evening homework, a consistent place for study, involving fathers in homework, using graph paper to ease arithmetic assignments, considering options for reading assignments, using a duplicate set of books…

Intended primarily for parents of and professionals working with handicapped children, the paper examines the parent-professional relationship and suggests ways to enhance communication. The parent's principal responsibility for monitoring the child's physical, psychological, and educational well-being is stressed. Suggestions for improving…

Tips are presented for teachers to write letters to parents to encourage their participation in their child's writing program, and suggestions are also listed for parents to help improve their child's writing skills. (CB)

The school dropout problem is discussed, with suggestions for parents on ensuring that their children do not become part of the dropout population, including; monitoring children's school attendance patterns; making sure children understand how important school and attendance is; maintaining close contact with teachers; and helping children…

Presents examples of home learning games designed to facilitate parent-child interaction. Teachers provide parents with directions, sample patterns for making the games, and lists of materials. The skills covered by these games emphasize pre-reading and pre-math knowledge. (DR)

Discusses how practitioners and external groups can help promote child-centered care for infants and young children. (CI)

Offers 10 suggestions for parents to support their children's teachers, including: create a smooth takeoff each day; fill the child's lunchbox with healthy snacks and lunches; include calm, peaceful times in the child's afternoons and evenings; fill the child's life with a love for learning by showing off one's own curiosity and respecting the…

Outlines the goals of the new editor of this monthly newsletter for parents. Suggests practices that teachers can use to enlist the cooperation of parents, including corresponding and meeting with parents before the school year, and communicating with parents several times during the school year to learn about their child and to open a dialog…

What are the basic truths about giftedness that parents have seen and experienced as they follow, and, direct the development of their children? In what ways did sandstorms of misinformation or geological upheavals among theories about just who is or is not gifted bury good sense about nurturing the creative responses seen on a daily basis in…